If you’re like me, you store your whiskey at room temperature, sitting alongside all of your other bottles at your bar. And while I have plenty of friends that freeze and refrigerate their vodka, you never hear about whiskey being stored in the same way. I decided to find out why.
Whiskey is not kept in the fridge (or freezer) because keeping it cold mutes the flavor and aroma of the liquor. Because of this, most experts recommend consuming spirits like whiskey at room temperature, or with a splash of water or ice, for the best experience. Additionally, the high alcohol content acts as a preservative and does not need to be refrigerated to keep from spoiling.
How does the fridge/freezer affect my whiskey?
The reason that chilling your whiskey mutes the flavors and aromas is because as whiskey warms, it releases volatiles. Volatiles are easily vaporized compounds like alcohol that make the smells and flavors more available to our senses, enhancing our experience. This is why adding ice or a splash of water to your drink helps to cut the alcoholic edge to your whiskey. This tones down the volatiles slightly, making it less intense to allow you to smell the more nuanced notes of the whiskey. However, storing your whiskey in a chilled area really minimizes the volatiles when it comes time to serve, causing much more muting of the flavors.
In addition to dampening the flavors of the spirit, chilling whiskey can have some aesthetic side effects as well. Depending on the type of whiskey you get, the cold will likely cause your whiskey to appear cloudy. While this does not damage the whiskey, the hazy appearance may not be preferred.
Will refrigeration damage my whiskey?
Refrigeration will not permanently damage your whiskey. If after reading this you decide to no longer store your whiskey in the fridge, simply allowing it to return to room temperature will restore it to it’s original state.
The same goes for individual servings. If your friend serves you some good whiskey straight from their fridge and you would prefer to get the full experience, just give it a few minutes to warm back up and enjoy (if you can wait that long).
Why is it ok to keep vodka in the freezer?
The reason it is fine to keep vodka in the freezer but not whiskey is because vodka has much less flavor and aroma to begin with. Therefore, the dampening that happens with chilling vodka is much less noticeable, especially compared with the benefit of having chilled vodka available at all times. Whiskey is primarily purchased for it’s flavor and aroma, so maintaining these qualities is much more important than with liquors like vodka.
How should I store my whiskey?
Personally, I like to keep my whiskey on the bar in my living room, tucked in a corner out of direct sunlight. That being said, that is not necessarily the ideal way to store spirits in order to keep them in the best condition for as long as possible. Below are a few tips on how to store that bottle you’re considering putting in the freezer. For a more complete guide on proper storage technique, see our dedicated post on properly storing your whiskey.
The four most important tips to properly storing your whiskey are to:
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Store bottles upright
1. Store in a cool, dry place
While keeping your whiskey cold is not good for it, having it be warm isn’t great either. In warmer temperatures, the whiskey expands more quickly and can cause the whiskey to deteriorate faster over time, likely speeding up oxidation and causing some change to the flavors.
Additionally, given the varying levels of expansion and contraction at different temperatures, keeping in a place with where temperature fluctuates can damage the cork and stopper, potentially compromising the seal.
For these reasons, whiskey should be stored in a cool, dry place that maintains a fairly constant temperature (ideally 59-68°F/15-20°C).
2. Avoid direct sunlight
Whiskey is filled with a wide array of molecules and organic compounds that give it the delicious flavors and smells that we drink it for. Well, when whiskey is exposed to direct sunlight, UV rays begin to break down these molecules and can change these flavors and scents. If left exposed to sunlight long term, experts have compared the flavor it takes on as being rubbery or chemical in nature. This is especially pronounced when stored in a clear bottle, as light can pass through that most easily. Additionally, prolonged exposure to the sun can wash out the color of the whiskey itself, as well as the label on the bottle.
Therefore, store your whiskey in a dark place to maintain your best color and flavor.
3. Store bottles upright
If you store your whiskey bottles on their side, as you likely would in the freezer, the constant contact of the alcohol can cause the cork to deteriorate. This can compromise the seal, and allow oxygen in. Without a good seal, your whiskey will begin to oxidize, causing a negative effect on the taste of your whiskey.
While keeping the cork submerged can cause problems, so can letting it get too dry. If the cork goes without contact to the whiskey for too long, it can dry out and crack, leading to a poor seal. To combat any issues with your cork getting too dry, just flip your bottle upside down for a few seconds every month to re-saturate the cork and avoid any future problems. Alternatively, you might also consider using a decanter to avoid any regular bottle maintenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whiskey should not be kept in the fridge because the colder temperatures mute the delicious flavors and aromas that we buy it for. If you prefer your whiskey cold, cool it down with some ice in the glass, but it should be stored and served at room temperature for the best experience.
Whisky Will’s the name and Scotch is my game! I am obsessed with whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches and love to write about them. Whisky Grotto is my playground where I educate the world about whisky, bartending, and more. So, keep sipping your drink and have a good time!